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1645 ART SCHOOL ROAD | CHESTER SPRINGS
HOURS: MONDAY -THURSDAY 9AM to 4PM
610-590-5300
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WEST PIKELAND TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER | |
Holiday Stroll
Enjoy an evening of festive holiday fun in the village! Stroll through and enjoy the decorations, lights and luminaries lining Art School Road on Friday, December 8, from 5 – 8 pm.
There will be a tree lighting, art shows, crafts, storytelling, music, SANTA and refreshments!
Activities Schedule
All ages story time at the Chester Springs Library
4:30 pm 1709 Art School Road
Chester Valley Dance Academy performance in the Washington
5:30 pm 1701 Art School Road
Meet Santa in the Washington
6:00 pm 1701 Art School Road
Tree lighting at the West Pikeland Township building
7:15 pm 1645 Art School Road
2024 Yellow Springs Art Show Poster Contest Exhibition
& HYS Members Show opening reception
5:00 - 8:00 pm 1685 Art School Road
STEM Games and crafts at the Chester Springs Library
5:00 - 8:00 pm 1709 Art School Road
Games and holiday crafts in the Chester Springs Studio
5:00 - 8:00 pm 1668 Art School Road
Fire pit in front of the Chester Springs Studio
5:00 - 8:00 pm 1668 Art School Road
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Update on our Storage Facility Building located at Walnut Lane Park
The building now has the final metal roof, and the electric pole has been installed! The gable siding is complete, and the well water pressure tank has been successfully tested!
We'll keep you posted as the building nears completion!
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West Pikeland Township Honors Stephen Rhoads
The West Pikeland Township Board of Supervisors recently honored partner Steve Rhoads with a Distinguished Service Award as he stepped down from his position as chair of the Zoning Hearing Board. A long-time resident of Chester Springs, Steve dedicated over twenty years of service to the Township as a Zoning Hearing Board member, most of those years as chair. The Township’s acknowledgement stated Steve’s “institutional knowledge and expertise significantly benefited our community, guiding development and maintaining West Pikeland Township’s rural character. Steve’s professionalism and fairness in deliberations will be greatly missed.”
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Invasive Species
Invasive species are plants, animals, or other organisms that are introduced to an area outside of their original habitat and can cause damage in their new area. Because they have no natural enemies, they usually spread rampantly, creating harm to our economy, environment and health. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture estimates that the cost to control invasive species and the damage they inflict is 137 billion dollars annually. The PA Dept. of Agriculture has identified more than 140 invasive species that are emerging threats to Pennsylvania plants and animals. Some of the best known are: Garlic Mustard, Japanese Stiltgrass, Bradford Pear, Multiflora Rose, Japanese Honeysuckle Vine and Bush, Oriental Bittersweet, Autumn Olive, Burning Bush, Mile-a-Minute Vine, Privet, Chestnut Blight, Dutch Elm Disease, Lantern Fly and the Gypsy Moth. Currently the Emerald Ash Borer is killing most of our native Ash trees. Many of these species are currently taking over different areas of our Pine Creek Park. During the next several years our West Pikeland Township EAC (Environmental Advisory Council) and Parks and Recreation committees will be working together to remove existing invasive species starting with the worst and most obvious areas. After their removal they will be replaced with native trees and shrubs that will make our park more visibly attractive and help support wildlife like birds, butterflies and other native pollinators. If any person or organization would like to volunteer in this endeavor or if any Scout is looking for a project, please contact our township office.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. Avoid buying and planting invasive plants. Be selective and research your plants to ensure you select native/or non-invasive plants for your landscape. The PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources web site has a link to information and photos of invasive trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and herbaceous plants. https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/ Conservation/Wild Plants/Invasive Plants/pages/default.aspx
2. Identify existing invasive plants on your property, woodlot, or meadow and take action to remove them.
3. Where invasive plants are removed, replant with native plants or seeds as soon as possible.
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Volunteers Needed!
West Pikeland Township is currently seeking township residents to volunteer for the following positions:
Park and Recreation Committee
Environmental Advisory Council
Open Space Committee
Historical Commission
HARB (Historical Architecture Review Board)
No experience required, just a willingness to provide a lending hand in our township. Interested? Fill out our Volunteer Form and we will be in touch!
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Board of Supervisors Meeting | |
Monday, December 4, 2023 @ 7:30pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
Agendas are posted here the Friday before meetings.
The
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Parks and Recreation Meeting | |
No December meeting
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
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Planning Commission Meeting | |
December 11, 2023 @ 6:00pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
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Environmental Advisory Council Meeting | |
December 5, 2023 @ 7:30pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
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Open Space Committee Meeting | |
No December Meeting
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
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Board of Supervisors Meeting | |
December 18, 2023 @ 7:30pm
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
Agendas are posted here the Friday before meetings.
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West Pikeland Land Trust Meeting | |
No December Meeting.
1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs
The public is welcome to attend. Please enter via the lower courtyard.
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Meeting information, including agendas, can be found on our website | | |
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SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS |
Sign up today for your monthly West Pikeland Township eNewsletters.
Learn the latest news and events in Chester Springs.
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Festive Fun at the Library
By: Susie Hawkins
Happy Holidays everyone! We know it’s a busy time of year, but Chester Springs Library can bring you some well-deserved moments of peace and enrichment amidst the excitement. This December, we’re offering several events full of festive fun. Check out the highlights for this month below, and view the full calendar of events here.
December 5, 10am to 1pm: Kristine Howard’s Satellite Office- Kristine will be here in person. Stop in, say hello, and get to know your State Representative. Have a cup of something warm and some holiday treats with us, find help with a state matter, and Seniors get your FREE Septa Key card.
December 5, 10:30-11:30am: Winter Foliage Fun- Pre-schoolers and caregivers will learn and work together to make a mini-arrangement with Winter greenery. Led by the Uwchlan Garden Club. Register here.
December 8, 4:30pm: Holiday Stroll Story Time- Stop by the library before the start of the HYS Holiday Stroll for a Christmas story time with Miss Susie and Miss Rebecca. Library will stay open until 8pm during the event. No Registration.
December 12, 10:30-11:30am: Holiday Recipe & Cookie Swap- We invite you to bring 6 sandwich-sized plastic bags with 4 cookies in each, and your recipe attached. We’ll trade recipes and baking stories and taste test of course! No Registration.
December 26-29, All-Day: Snowflake Making Station- Help us to decorate the wall with snowflakes! Stop by anytime this week to cut out or color a snowflake, and we’ll hang it up all winter long! No Registration.
December 27, 11am-12pm: Snowflake Mobiles- While supplies last, drop in and make a snowflake mobile. Recommended for school-age and older. No Registration.
December 28, 11am-12pm: New Year’s Party- School-age children are welcome to join us for an early New Year’s celebration. We’ll decorate resolution boxes, play trivia games for prizes, and do a practice NYE countdown! Register here.
The library will be closed on Sat. December 23, Mon. December 25, and Mon. January 1. Thank you all for making it another great year at Chester Springs Library. We love our community and hope to continue bringing you quality programs and resources in the new year.
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Christmas at Anselma Mill | December 9, 2023, 10am to 4pm | |
Experience Christmas at Anselma Mill on December 9th and return home with memories of the water wheel splashing, the granite stone grinding and the smell of cornmeal scurrying into the shiny tin can. The winds are hurrying toward winter and Santa will be there to spread his merriment. Santa will be visiting us in the Miller’s house and he’ll be waiting to hear about all of your wishes for Christmas.
The Mill at Anselma will have a grinding demonstration from 10 am to 4 pm on December 9th and will not reopen until April 13th, 2024. Before the Mill is put to sleep for the winter months, be sure to see what an old-fashioned Christmas is like at Anselma. Purchase stocking stuffers in the Red Barn visitor’s center.
The Mill at Anselma, 1730 Conestoga Road, Chester Springs awaits you and your family. It’s a present from the past.
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The Sound of Music
December 1 - 17, 2023
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The final collaboration between Rodgers & Hammerstein was destined to become the world’s most beloved musical. Featuring a trove of cherished songs, including “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and the title number, The Sound of Music won the hearts of audiences worldwide, earning five Tony Awards and five Oscars. The inspirational story, based on the memoir of Maria Augusta Trapp, follows an ebullient postulate who serves as governess to the seven children of the imperious Captain von Trapp, bringing music and joy to the household. But as the forces of Nazism take hold of Austria, Maria and the entire von Trapp family must make a moral decision. Join us this Holiday season for one of the most beloved musicals of all time!
*This show is at full capacity*
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Opening Reception – Friday, December 8, 5 – 8 pm
The 2024 Poster Competition is the first event leading up to 51st Annual Yellow Springs Art Show! Join us for a first peek at the winning piece Friday, December 8, 5 – 8 pm at the opening reception. All works with the exception of the 2024 winning poster piece are available for purchase.
The 2024 winning piece will be featured on all advertising for the 51st Annual Yellow Springs Art Show, and will be reproduced on posters and notecards that will be for sale at the show.
Mark your calendars, the 51st Annual Yellow Springs Art Show opens April 27 and runs through May 12, 2024!
Free Admission
The galleries will be closed Monday, December 11 & Tuesday, December 12
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New York City On Your Own
Looking for a FUN Day Trip? If so, join DARC as we travel to New York City on Saturday, December 16, 2023. Departing from Downingtown at 7am and returning around 9pm. These New York On Your Own trips give you and your friends the opportunity to see the sites at your own pace. You can take in a show, enjoy a meal, or check out many other attractions. Remember, Christmas time in New York is ALWAYS magical!
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CHESTER COUNTY INFORMATION | |
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RECYCLING DOESN’T END AT THE CURB!
Industry perspectives
You gave your food cans and bottles a good rinse, stored them in a container separate from your household trash, and tossed in your clean mixed paper. You placed the recycling cart at the curb on collection day. Congratulations, you’ve recycled! Or have you?
Well, not exactly. You’re doing the right thing, but it’s just the first step in the recycling process – the “set out.” Next, the hauler collects it, transports it to a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) for sorting and baling. These commodities will be marketed to a paper mill, plastics broker, or metal recycler to eventually be manufactured into new products.
Recycling is a process. Residents are the first step. So, who better to teach us about the processing other than MRF managers?
Jeff Furmanchin of Total Recycle in Birdsboro wants us to know, “Contamination in single stream recyclables is the largest cause of downtime and damage to processing equipment. Please keep hoses, wires, construction debris and yard waste out of your recycling. Lithium-Ion or rechargeable batteries of any type need to stay out of recycling and trash bins, as they are an enormous fire hazard.” (These batteries only belong in a household hazardous waste collection program!)
Scott Mengle, Director of SECCRA Landfill, manages a dozen drop off bins across southern Chester County. He says, “Just because an item bears a recycling symbol doesn't guarantee its actual recycling. This poses financial and logistical challenges, as non-recyclable items disrupt sorting, increase costs, and devalue recycled materials. To preserve the financial and environmental sustainability of recycling programs, it's important to know what is truly recyclable. 'When in doubt, throw it out’ to ensure our success.”
Matt Cougle of Cougle’s Recycling wants us to know that water bottles (PET #1) are recycled into carpet and clothing. PET is also re-made into new bottles, closing the recycling loop. “It starts in your home. Keep food, liquids, and cigarette butts out of bottles. They make recycling much harder. Get those clean and loose (not bagged) bottles in the cart!”
Better to recycle right, than to recycle more. When in doubt, check it out! Let’s get Trash Smart!
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